Jurrien Timber reveals key role Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta played in ACL injury recovery as defender claims Gunners must be 'perfect' to win Premier League title this season

Timber suffered a nightmare start to his Arsenal career, sustaining a serious knee injury on his Premier League debut for the Gunners that required surgery. The Dutch star returned to action in a Premier League 2 game in April, scoring a fine goal just nine minutes into his comeback after eight months on the sidelines. He then made his long-awaited return to first-team action in Arsenal's final game of the season against Everton as Arteta's men finished as runners-up.

Timber will be hoping to make an impact in the new Premier League campaign after returning to full fitness. The former Ajax defender saw his team narrowly miss out on the Premier League title last season and acknowledges there will be little room for error if they are to beat Manchester City to top spot in the 2024-25 campaign. Timber also spoke about how Arteta's support helped him recover from his knee injury.

Timber told TNT Sports: "Last year when we were here he [Mikel Arteta] was very supportive already. And I have to say during my injury as well. It helps to have such a manager like him. Obviously it is [a big blow getting injured after moving to Arsenal], especially at the start. I have to say, at the same time, I just moved to another club, I moved to Arsenal. You have to look at how lucky you are as well, and that is the way I looked at it last year. I had time to work with some fantastic physios, I had good people around me and my team-mates were great."

The Dutchman also spoke about his team's title hopes: "You said almost perfect, this season we need to make it perfect. Hopefully we are going to end up with some prizes at the end of the season. Lets see, we start from here in the USA, we have some nice games ahead and then we go."

Timber and Arsenal are currently in pre-season mode and preparing for friendlies against Bournemouth, Manchester United and Liverpool in the United States. Arteta's side will kick off their new Premier League campaign against Wolves on August 17.